Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago's teaching program achieves something rare in education: it places graduates in the 80th percentile among Illinois programs while keeping debt near the state median of $25,250. That $55,652 starting salary trails only University of Illinois Chicago among major Illinois education programs and sits $11,500 above what the typical Illinois teaching graduate earns. The 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates face less than half their first year's salary in debt—manageable territory for a profession known for steady employment but modest pay growth.

The Chicago location matters here. Loyola's network in the city and suburbs likely connects graduates to better-paying districts, and the competitive admission profile (SAT: 1283) suggests students benefit from strong academic preparation. While this isn't an elite program by selectivity standards, it's clearly doing something right in placement—you're not just getting a teaching credential, you're getting access to opportunities that pay $14,000 more annually than the national median for this degree.

For families weighing the cost of a Loyola education, the teaching program justifies its price tag. Your child would graduate with debt below the national average for teachers while earning well above it—a combination that's increasingly difficult to find in education degrees. This is a smart choice for someone committed to teaching who wants to maximize their starting position.